Multi-billion dollar agreement signed for 26 Rafale Marine aircraft to enhance maritime capabilities as tensions with Pakistan escalate.
Key Takeaways:
i) India has formalized a deal with France for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for its navy.
ii) The purchase, estimated at around $7.4 billion, comes at a time of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following a recent attack in Kashmir.
iii) The agreement includes not only the aircraft but also training, simulators, associated equipment, weapons, and performance-based logistics, aiming to modernize India’s military and reduce reliance on Russian-origin equipment.
Money Matters Monitoring – A recent report by AFP, titled “India inks deal for 26 French Rafale jets despite Pakistan tensions,” highlights India’s latest move to strengthen its defense capabilities. The report notes that India has signed an inter-governmental agreement with France for the procurement of 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy.
According to the report, this multi-billion dollar deal includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale Marine aircraft. The acquisition is a significant step in India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces. The deal also encompasses crucial elements such as training for Indian Navy personnel, the provision of simulators and associated equipment, a comprehensive weapons package, and performance-based logistics support.
According to the report, this multi-billion dollar deal includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale Marine aircraft. The acquisition is a significant step in India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces.
The timing of this defense procurement is noteworthy, as it coincides with escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. These tensions have reportedly risen following a recent deadly attack on civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir, for which New Delhi has accused Islamabad of involvement – a claim Pakistan denies. The Daily Sabah article points out that the two nuclear-armed neighbors have since engaged in diplomatic retorts and expulsions of each other’s citizens.
Further details emerging from Indian media outlets indicate the deal is valued at approximately Rs 63,000 crore (around $7.4 billion). These Rafale-M jets are specifically designed for operations from aircraft carriers, and they are expected to operate from India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. The acquisition aims to replace the aging Russian MiG-29K aircraft currently in service with the Indian Navy.
The agreement also has a strategic dimension, aligning with India’s broader goal of reducing its dependence on Russian military hardware and expanding its domestic defense production capabilities. Moreover, the Indian Navy has expressed increasing concerns over China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean, making the enhancement of its maritime strike power a priority.
The acquisition of the Rafale-M is expected to significantly boost India’s naval aviation capabilities and enhance its role as a major player in the Indian Ocean region.
The Rafale Marine jets, manufactured by French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation, are described as combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities in a maritime environment. Deliveries of these aircraft are anticipated to commence within the next four to six years, with the entire fleet expected to be operational by 2031.
This deal further solidifies the long-standing defense cooperation between India and France, with Indian forces already operating French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jets and Scorpene-class submarines. The acquisition of the Rafale-M is expected to significantly boost India’s naval aviation capabilities and enhance its role as a major player in the Indian Ocean region.
